Republican presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson has shared his journey of faith and hopes that it would inspire other Americans to welcome "God's healing hands" because the nation needs His help now more than ever.
Speaking before the LifePoint Assembly of God in Osceola, Iowa, on Sunday, Carson recalled his childhood years of poverty. He said he grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and thought that he would actually die at a very young age because he was often angry and resentful.
One day, he said he suddenly thought of locking himself up in a bathroom for three straight hours to read the book of Proverbs. He said from that moment on, his life changed.
"When I came out, my temper was gone and I've never had a problem since," he said, according to The Des Moines Register.
He devoured more inspirational books after that, including Booker T. Washington's autobiography "Up from Slavery" and Joseph's story in the Bible's Old Testament.
"That really spoke volumes to my heart. Where you end up has a lot to do with the attitude you adopt in your life," he shared.
Just as God changed him, Carson believes that God can weave miracles into America, which is now suffering from a moral and spiritual decline.
"I don't think there's anybody who can deny that our land right now is in need of God's healing hands," he said, even quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14, which reads: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
During an interview with Fox News, Carson said people can help bring about change by looking for solutions to the world's problems. In reference to the tragic incidents that followed the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager who was shot dead by former police officer Darren Wilson, Carson said many people actually "enjoy" and "derive their power" from conflict. "We've got to be smarter than that" if such problems are ever going to be solved in America, he said.
"We don't need all this garbage, our strength is in our unity and you can always find reasons to fan the flame of division but that's not what a good leader does," he said.
